Architecture News

Embrace Serenity: A Modern Tropical Sanctuary

Architectural Inspiration: A Nod to Modernist Heritage

The villa, a prominent undertaking by the London-and-Sydney-based firm Nice Projects, reflects a profound admiration for Le Corbusier's design principles. Sacha Leong, co-founder of Nice Projects, notes the clear influence of Villa Savoye, a masterpiece built between 1928 and 1931 just outside Paris. Despite Singapore's vibrant jungle environment contrasting with the French countryside, the villa successfully evokes a profound sense of tranquility and seclusion.

Harmonious Interiors: Blending Eras and Aesthetics

The homeowners, a couple deeply passionate about design and art, guided the aesthetic choices within. Leong explains that the interiors seamlessly integrate a curated selection of vintage and contemporary furnishings. The space is adorned with bespoke creations from leading contemporary artists such as Faye Toogood and Max Lamb, interspersed with pieces by design legends like Afra and Tobia Scarpa, and exquisite lamps by Isamu Noguchi. Furthermore, lighting fixtures by Casa Veronica, originating from Texas, introduce a distinctive Mexican flair.

Thoughtful Materiality: A Palette of Subtlety and Nature

The design philosophy extends to the careful selection of materials, creating a cohesive and understated ambiance. Leong highlights the intentional use of a subdued color palette and natural, refined materials throughout the villa. Notable examples include the cork-lined home elevator, featuring a Max Lamb chair, and the bedrooms, where wainscoting crafted from Alpine-grained wood panels adds warmth. The striking spiral staircase and walls are finished with Clayworks' clay plaster, while travertine flooring provides a consistent, elegant foundation across the entire residence.

Entertaining and Collections: Spaces Designed for Passion

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the villa is meticulously designed to accommodate the owners' extensive collections of cars and artworks, alongside providing generous spaces for social gatherings. The primary entertaining area offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding jungle through its expansive double-glazed walls. This grand space encompasses a spacious living area with a custom marble bar, an inviting open kitchen, and a substantial dining room, all connected by sliding glass doors that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Wildlife, such as monkeys, frequently visits the garden near the pool, enhancing the sense of immersion in nature. Leong emphasizes, "The fact that it's immersed in greenery makes it feel very intimate, even though it is a large house."

Subterranean Wonders and Elevated Retreats: Beyond the Main Living Areas

The living room area, thoughtfully positioned on a slightly lower level, seamlessly merges with the outdoor flora. A majestic, curvilinear spiral staircase ascends to the upper floor, revealing the private bedrooms and a serene rooftop terrace. The basement level, surprisingly featuring an indoor garden, houses a well-equipped gym, a dedicated study, and a garage that cleverly transforms into a showroom for the owner's classic car collection. A concealed panel opens to reveal views of the garden, creating a dramatic experience. Leong aptly compares this to a cinematic experience, with the jungle serving as the captivating "show."

The Art of Living: Where Design Meets Lifestyle

From the striking dining room, offering views of the garden and pool, to the meticulously furnished living areas, every detail speaks to a life lived with an appreciation for fine design. The exterior of the house reveals its thoughtful integration with the natural landscape, featuring seating by Willy Guhl and landscaping by This Humid House, ensuring a harmonious relationship between the built environment and its verdant surroundings. The entrance, complete with a leather bench by Francesco Balzano and a console table by Malgorzata Bany, welcomes guests with subtle sophistication. The basement gym, adorned with artwork by Andreas Eriksson, transforms a functional space into an artistic one. Even the principal bathroom, with its Patagonian stone vanity, provides a tranquil vista of the garden, reinforcing the villa's connection to nature. The open kitchen, boasting a custom concrete countertop, bar stools by Lina Bo Bardi, and a pendant lamp by Faye Toogood, exemplifies functional artistry. Every element, from a John Pawson-designed faucet to custom metal doorknobs by Studio Oko Olo, contributes to the villa's distinguished character, epitomizing a luxurious and artistically integrated living experience.

This compilation showcases 11 of America's most stunning destinations, ranging from untouched natural landscapes to magnificent architectural feats. It provides a glimpse into the diverse beauty the country offers, highlighting national parks, towering mountains, captivating coastlines, and even iconic urban panoramas. The selection also includes suggestions for noteworthy places to stay, encouraging readers to plan their next memorable journey across the nation.

Discovering America's Scenic Marvels

The United States, celebrating its 250th year, boasts an incredible array of picturesque locations that captivate with their diverse charms. Among these, Hawaii's Nāpali Coast stands as a testament to untouched natural grandeur. On Kauai's northwestern shores, verdant emerald cliffs dramatically meet the azure Pacific Ocean. This pristine area receives over 400 inches of rainfall annually, nurturing lush valleys and perpetual waterfalls. Without roads, its secluded white-sand beaches are accessible only by boat, preserving their unspoiled allure. For an immersive experience, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay offers luxurious wellness and sustainable design, providing direct access to Nāpali boat tours from serene Puʻu Poa Beach.

Moving inland, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses over 350 miles of winding trails, guiding visitors past immaculate lakes, beneath imposing granite peaks, alongside cascading 40-foot waterfalls, and through expansive wildflower meadows. The park transforms with the seasons, from golden aspen foliage in autumn to snow-blanketed forests and frozen lakes perfect for cross-country skiing in winter. For a stay combining historical intrigue with natural beauty, the Stanley Hotel, built in 1909 and famously inspiring Stephen King's The Shining, provides an East Coast luxury experience in the heart of the Rockies.

Further west, California's Big Sur presents a rugged 90-mile stretch of coastline, approximately two and a half hours south of San Francisco. Here, the Santa Lucia Mountains converge dramatically with the Pacific Ocean, creating a landscape of towering cliffs and churning waters. The challenging yet rewarding drive along Highway 1, often affected by natural elements, only heightens Big Sur’s mystical appeal. Perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific, the Post Ranch Inn is an architectural marvel designed by Mickey Muennig, seamlessly blending with the surrounding mountainous terrain for an unforgettable stay.

Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park is defined by its glacial-carved vistas, ancient 2.7-billion-year-old rocks, 12 primary peaks exceeding 12,000 feet, and numerous glacial lakes. Visitors can hike around the breathtaking Jenny Lake, admire its waterfalls, and spot wildlife like bison, elk, and moose. The nearby town of Jackson offers a glimpse into the Wild West with its historic Town Square, art galleries, and saloons. The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, a boutique hotel, offers stunning mountain views from its viewing decks and guest room balconies, serving as an ideal base for exploring both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.

In stark contrast, New York City captivates with its architectural grandeur and impressive green spaces, with 27% of its area dedicated to parks. The city's charm is further evidenced by a recent study that ranked it America's top spot for sunset views, surpassing Maui, San Diego, and Miami. The Dominick in SoHo provides exceptional views from its 46-story glass tower, with many rooms overlooking the Hudson River.

Arizona's Grand Canyon, a colossal gorge carved by the Colorado River, stretches 277 miles long and one mile deep, living up to its iconic status. Esteemed artists like Thomas Moran and David Hockney have sought to capture its grandeur, and Theodore Roosevelt declared it an essential American sight. The legendary El Tovar Hotel, built in 1905 on the South Rim, merges Swiss chalet and Norwegian villa architecture, offering a historic stay with unparalleled views.

Vermont's Green Mountains offer a spectacular display of New England's autumnal beauty, with a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, and orange foliage. This Appalachian subrange extends 250 miles, attracting hikers in warmer months and skiers to resorts like Stowe Mountain and Killington in winter. The Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge in Stowe offers a cozy alpine retreat with access to backcountry trails and unique amenities like indoor-outdoor swimming.

Utah's Zion National Park is characterized by its soaring sandstone cliffs, ancient slot canyons carved by the Virgin River, striking arches, and unique hanging gardens. The Narrows, a gorge with 1,000-foot-tall canyon walls and river water reaching waist-deep, offers an unparalleled national park adventure. The recently established Black Desert Resort, surrounded by ancient lava fields, features a championship golf course and a lavish spa, with a water park planned for 2027.

The Florida Keys, a chain of over 1,700 islands, offers a laid-back paradise for sunbathers, divers, and culinary enthusiasts. Key West is famed for its pastel homes and literary history, Key Largo for its diving, and Islamorada for sportfishing. The historic Ridley House in Key West, dating back to 1884, charmingly hosts daily Cypress Sangria Soirees by the pool.

Wisconsin's Door County is renowned for its culinary delights, particularly cherry pies and Swedish pancakes, but its natural beauty is equally captivating. The peninsula boasts 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and Green Bay, along with five state parks. The Hillside Waterfront Hotel in Ephraim, a re-imagined 19th-century property, features flower-named rooms, some with verandas and fireplaces, promising a charming experience.

Finally, West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, designated a national park in late 2020, features one of the continent's oldest rivers. It's a haven for whitewater rafting and rock climbing enthusiasts, offering uncrowded, peaceful trails and overlooks. The Hill Hall Hotel in Fayetteville, a new boutique hotel in a restored 1923 school, provides light-filled rooms and a homey restaurant at the park's entrance.

This comprehensive tour of America's most beautiful places reveals the country's extraordinary natural diversity and human ingenuity. Each location offers a unique blend of adventure, tranquility, and cultural richness, inviting travelers to explore the vast and varied tapestry of the American landscape. From ancient rock formations to vibrant urban centers, these destinations underscore the timeless appeal of both wild expanses and thoughtfully designed environments, leaving visitors with lasting impressions and a deeper appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.